Panel Adopts Rules For Greenhouses

SUFFIELD — New commercial greenhouse regulations adopted by the zoning and planning commission will provide more protection for residential neighborhoods, a commission member said Tuesday.

The new regulations will replace ones adopted earlier this year after Rainbow Growers, a Dutch consortium, said it wanted to build an 18- acre greenhouse in town.

The new rules will require a developer to seek a zone change for any land targeted for a commercial greenhouse and a special-use permit for the project. The regulations were adopted Monday after a public hearing.

Commission member Robert A. Parks Jr. said the two approvals will give the commission power to protect residential neighborhoods from potential adverse effects of the businesses, such as excessive light.

A lawyer for resident June Lynch, who had challenged the previous regulations in court, said he had not seen the new rules so could not comment on whether new legal action would be taken.

Mark K. Branse, the lawyer, had asked the commission Monday to require the special-permit process and other restrictions, such as requiring that all utilities be put underground.

Parks said the commission added a requirement that utilities be screened from neighbors.